means separatists (Heb. parash, to separate), men who looked upon themselves as holier than other men, and therefore refused to hold social intercourse with them. The Talmud mentions the following classes:

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(1) The Dashers, or Bandy-legged (Nikfi), who scarcely lifted their feet from the ground in walking, but dashed them against the stones, that people might think them absorbed in holy thought (Matt. xxi. 44).

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(2) The Mortars, who wore a mortier, or cap, which would not allow them to see the passers-by, that their meditations might not be disturbed. Having eyes, they saw not (Mark viii. 18).

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(3) The Bleeders, who inserted thorns in the borders of their gaberdines to prick their legs in walking.

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(4) The Cryers, or Inquirers, who went about crying out, Let me know my duty, and I will do it (Matt. xix. 1622).

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(5) The Almsgivers, who had a trumpet sounded before them to summon the poor together (Matt. vi. 2).

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(6) The Stumblers, or Bloody-browed (Kizai), who shut their eyes when they went abroad that they might see no women, being blind leaders of the blind (Matt. xv. 14). Our Lord calls them blind Pharisees, fools and blind.

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(7) The Immovables, who stood like statues for hours together, praying in the market places (Matt. vi. 5).

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(8) The Pestle Pharisees (Medinkia), who kept themselves bent double like the handle of a pestle.

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(9) The Strong-shouldered (Shikmi), who walked with their back bent as if carrying on their shoulders the whole burden of the law.